A smile is progress

Today Avery smiled for Miss Tracey when we arrived.  She clung to me and didn't want to go to her, but she smiled.  That's progress.

I look back at every picture I post and wonder how can she get cuter with every single one.  God I love this little girl so much.

Emotionally Exhausted

It's been a rough week emotionally.  Avery isn't pleased thus far.  Sure, by the end of the day she seems content enough.  When I walk into the open play area to pick her up she's playing in a car or toddling about, but she's quick with a smile for me and she heads my direction - ready to go home.

She also isn't thrilled with the food.  I know she'll get there, but all week all she wanted to eat at daycare were the bread-based foods they offered with a wee bit of fruit and her milk.  C'mon kid, you gotta eat more than that.  Needless to say she comes home hungry and asking me for food.

I hate seeing her crying and clinging to me each morning.  It breaks my heart.  Couple that with worries for friends and hearing that our favorite teacher, as I'll admit was expected, is going somewhere else and I'm feeling down.  I'm waking up several times at night and just not rested.

The evenings somehow seem shorter too, like I'm not seeing Avery at all.  I need this weekend, that's for sure.

Today I take a load of spring/summer clothes to consignment.  I'm also going to pull off the band aid and take Avery's swing.  As I've commented before, it brought her so much comfort and peace that it is hard to part with.

Tomorrow is off to college

We had a great weekend.  Avery continued wanting to sleep in, which doesn't bode well for tomorrow morning, since we need to get up and get moving a bit earlier than we did for our previous care plans.  I did get her down for bed a bit early tonight, so that should help some.  I feel like I am taking her for her first day of school tomorrow.  I know I'll survive the change, but I need to get through the first day or two to settle myself.

She also enjoyed her bath again tonight! Lately baths = tears.  I'm glad she was laughing and splashing again with only a few tears when her hair was getting rinsed.

We're also starting to fight a little bit of diaper rash again.  She's had her finger in her mouth a good bit so maybe a tooth is pushing upward, but I cannot see anything just yet.

I decided the other day I needed to start an inventory of Avery's words, signs, and the things she clearly understands.  I was trying to get a real grasp of where she was.  Here's where we are, I have to say, I am quite impressed with her - once again.

Words:
Mama
Daddy
Baby
Gigi - dog?
Saffy
Neen
Elmo
Eat
Up
Please
Thank you
Huh-uh - no
Apple
I love you
Moo (for cow)
Oops
Uh-oh
All done
Sock
Help
Shoe
Bubble

Signs:
Eat
Drink
Water
Milk
Please
Thank you
Cookie
I love you
Finished
More

Other things she understands:
Shapes in the shape sorter - if she gets the wrong one she shakes her head no
Sheepie
Book
Waves hi/bye
Holds phone to ear

Transition to new places

So far this week, Avery has been doing amazingly at my friend's place w/ her kids and Nanny.  They both told me what a chill child she is and how much fun.  She's taking good naps there, starting to go back down at night w/o issue (after a few days of struggle w/ naps and bedtime), and even wanting to sleep in a bit in the morning.  They're definitely wearing her out.  She's coming home with art work and getting exposed to different foods as well.

This shift is making me feel like she'll be okay next week and that the changes to food and routine are going to be good for her.

I dropped off some supplies at her new daycare this morning and picked up our keyfobs.

Daycare Drama!

Our daycare was in the process of being sold.  Unfortunately, it sounds like the new owner's application was denied.  We learned about this Saturday evening rather abruptly from the current owner in a message saying the daycare was closing effective immediately (quite contrary to the plan that had been laid out).  Talk about a shock to the system.

I hate change.  I hate uncertainty.  I hate feeling like there is nothing I can do (that's pretty much the definition of needing to find a new daycare on a weekend night).  More than ANY of that, I loathe the thought of Avery being thrust into a scary/new situation that I can't explain to her in a way she would understand.

While I solved the need to obtain care I feel good about both for the immediate (this week) through the graciousness of a friend and neighbor and the assist of their nanny and for the longer term (starting next week) at a center that seems to have a program that seems like a good place for Avery to keep growing and learning... I can't eliminate the change in Avery's world.  I know that we'll look back after the dust is settled and all will be well, but right now I remain a bit stressed and trying to shake it off.

We're going to miss Avery's teachers. Maybe even one of her friends will join us there too.  I am hopeful that maybe we'll see someone at our new place as they are hiring and taking other students, but I know that's a long shot.

I prayed for guidance to know the right place and I do feel like I was pointed in a direction that points back to God, so I am trusting in Him that this is the place for us.

When I enjoy being told no.

When I take Avery to bed we go through our routine.  At the end, after our prayers, with the lights out I cuddle her for a minute or two.  She puts her head down on my shoulder and I rub her back.  It doesn't take long.  Usually I can say "are you ready to lay down with Sheepie" and she looks towards her bed and points - she's ready.

Tonight my inquiry was repeatedly met with "huh-uh" and she'd shift around and re-cuddle in.  This went on for a good 15 minutes before I decided I really needed to go ahead and put her in her crib and get downstairs to look at the work computer and do some dishes (whee).

I pray on one hand that I never spoil her or create a monster that requires being held to go to sleep, etc.  On the other hand, I pray that I never miss an opportunity to have a sweet moment with my sweet little girl.